The Trip

Epilogue

"I wonder why only the five of us were summoned here?" Terry asked as the small group walked towards a tall gold and white building. They were in the Astral Realm where many of the higher ranking Custos could be found.

"Does it matter? The higher ups clearly liked our performance at the revolt," Salem replied with a shrug.

"You just think you're better than us because you got a cool nickname," Terry said, rolling his eyes.

"Maybe. My new form is also pretty amazing," Salem said with a smirk.

"Well, the nickname is stupid. Like, really? Unum Potentia? So lame," Natare replied.

"No one asked you," Salem said back to her.

"The only higher up that would call us is Gabriel, which could mean good fortune for us," Umbra said.

"Yes. He has certainly came through for us a lot on that assignment," Sonya replied.

"Don't remind me," Terry whined.

When the five Custos entered the building, they took in the scene around them. There were Custos flying here and there, looking to be going about their daily business. The inside of this building had the look of a grand old library. There were tables and desks on the side and a long green and copper rug in the middle leading directly to a large brown desk. When they finally made it to the desk, the back of a large chair was facing them, and they could hear one side of a conversation; someone talking on an HD.

"I know that voice," Salem said. The chair swung around and there sat Gabriel.

"There's my favorite underlings!" he said jokingly. He got up and walked around to the front of his desk, taking a seat on the edge. "Let us not waste time with pleasantries. I'm sure you all want to know why I called you here." He looked around at them but gave no one a chance to respond. "Let's get to it." Gabriel snapped his fingers and the other Custos in the room left the building without a word.

"You all did so well on this last assignment—not to mention for many of you it was your first assignment—that I have all recommended you all for a top mission," Gabriel said.

"Top mission?" Sonya asked.

"Does it involve girls, perhaps?" Terry asked with his fingers crossed.

"And glory?" Natare asked.

"Will I rank even higher after completing it?" Salem asked with a grin.

Gabriel stared at them for a moment.

"Sure," he said with a smile.

"Yes!" Salem, Natare, and Terry said in unison.

"I hope it's not another escort mission," Umbra commented.

"Yeah," Sonya said, looking skeptically at Gabriel. "If it is, I don't know that I'm up for it."

"It's nothing of the sort. It's more of, well, let us call it a spy mission," Gabriel said.

"That sounds boring," Salem replied.

"Yeah, there's no glory in spying," Natare said, sounding unimpressed.

"And that is where you're wrong," Gabriel said, standing up from his seat on the edge of his desk.

A bright light floated up from his palm and moved to bob in the air in front of them. The ball of light morphed into a planet.

Sonya squinted at the image in front of her. "That's Una," she said.

"Yes, one of the first of many planets that were created," Gabriel said. "Your mission is to go to Una and determine why Hellion activity on that planet is low."

"Hellions not causing a ruckus is a problem?" Terry asked, eyes narrowed.

"It means they are plotting," Umbra commented.

"Precisely," Gabriel said with a nod to Umbra. "I have sent you all the details surrounding this mission, including who your mentors will be. They will oversee the mission." Gabriel flicked and his hand the image of the planet disappeared. "You will be trained and sent to Una, and you will update your mentors regularly with all happenings on the plant," Gabriel said sitting back on his desk. "Understand that your power will be restricted because Una is in the Mortal Realm, so take training seriously," Gabriel advised. "Make the most of this mission; you will more than likely be the lowest ranking Custos there."

Yes, Salem thought to himself. He had been waiting for something like this.

"Salem, come here," Gabriel said, sounding almost bored.

Salem straightened his back and walked up to Gabriel.

"Where is your arm?" Gabriel asked.

"It's right here," Salem said, pulling out his arm that he had kept hanging at his side. Gabriel took it.

"Sonya was going to put it back on for me, but we haven't had a chance yet."

"Oh, really?" Gabriel replied sounding entirely uninterested. In one quick move, Gabriel stood up, slapped Salem with the arm, and jammed it back in place causing Salem to yelp in pain.

"There you go," Gabriel said, patting Salem's shoulder.

"Was the slap necessary!?" Salem growled in irritation, rubbing his newly reattached arm. He could hear everyone behind him trying to hold in their laughter.

"Yes," Gabriel said with a tight smile. "You're all dismissed."

Salem turned around but Gabriel stopped him.

"Except for you Salem," he said, still smiling. "Since you kept Amara so happy, I thought I would do the honor of being your mentor for this mission." Gabriel's smile changed slowly to an evil smirk. Salem tensed and he could feel himself starting to sweat.

"Ooooh," Terry said from behind Salem. "Hate to be you, buddy."

Salem tense again; he had hoped the rest of them would have left by now before Gabriel had said anything further.

"I'll keep you in my prayers," Sonya said, putting hands together and bowing slightly.

Umbra simply shook his head and walked away.

"If you die training, I'm so taking your title," Natare said.

"And you call yourself my friends!" Salem yelled in a panic.

"Let's begin, shall we?" Gabriel said, standing up from his desk and changing forms.

Four Months Later

"Yes, mom, I'm positive," I said into my phone as I entered my front door. I was all packed and ready to go. I was getting ready to travel the world.

"Yes, mom. It's going to be great for me!" I told my mom for what felt like the thousandth time. She had been terrified about the idea of me traveling since I had been in that motorcycle wreck.

"Yes, I have been going to therapy," I said, grateful she couldn't see me rolling my eyes. "Mental and physical therapy, mom, yes," I said.

"Okay, love you too. Bye." I let out a huge sigh after hanging up the phone and I made my way into the kitchen to find a snack. I was looking through the fridge, deciding what I was in the mood for, when I heard a strange sound. It was like something you would hear on a sci-fi movie, like the sound of portals opening or something. I knew the TV wasn't on; I had had the cable turned off just yesterday. I looked up from the fridge and saw a man with aqua blue hair standing in my kitchen and staring at me. He looked like he had just run a marathon.

"Hey," he said with a big smile.